Unidirectional uniform resistance exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

A unidirectional exercise machine with a base, a resistive force coupling fixed to the base that has an extendable member attached to a user. The extendable member is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, relative to the base, to create a resistive force upon movement toward the extended position and a nominal force upon movement toward the retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention described relates generally to exercise devices, and more particularly, to exercise machines for performing exercises that benefit from added resistance, such as a push-up.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] Traditionally muscle building exercise has been associated with the lifting of free weights or using a complicated machine. Free weights are simply plates of steel positioned on a bar or a bar so that the user opposes the resistive force that gravity exerts on the weights. A free weight exercise apparatus provides a resisting force due to the consistent nature of gravity. Free weights provide the same resistance to the user throughout the range of motion of the exercise. Typically, each time the user performs this range of motion returning the weight to its initial position, the user has completed a repetition or rep. By performing a plurality of reps, the group of muscles being exercised is fatigued which causes them to become stronger over time.

[0005] Exercise machines are designed to replicate conventional exercise with free weights. These machines could include machines imitating rowing, bicycling, and climbing stairs. In these forms of exercise, there is always an opposing force to counteract the force applied by the user and to cause necessary muscle fatigue.

[0006] Attempts to duplicate the free weight isotonic exercise with a machine has led to the construction of various devices that provide variable resistance to the user through the range of motion of a particular exercise. Such a device usually requires input of a complicated counteracting resistive force. These complicated devices are prone to failure because the stress on the many working parts causes them to wear and fail over time. There is a need for a simple exercise machine that applies a uniform resistive force in only one direction.

[0007] The present invention is intended to alleviate the many drawbacks of the complicated, variable resistance devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A unidirectional exercise machine for increasing the effort required for a user to perform a push-up or other exercise including an adjustable brake engaging a cable drum for inhibiting the unwinding of a cable attached to a user during the extending portion of the exercise and a clutch operatively coupled to the brake for releasing the brake and allowing the cable to freely rewind during the retracting portion of the exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a front view of a unidirectional exercise device in use.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the extendable coupling.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a front view of the exercise machine.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a top view of the base of the exercise machine.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the extended coupling with the coupling base removed.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the extendable coupling with the coupling top removed.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exploded schematic diagram of the extendable coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a unidirectional exercise machine (hereafter referred to as exercise machine) 100, which has a base 102, shown herewith, with handles 104, and a resistive force coupling 106 (hereafter referred to as a coupling 106). The coupling 106 has an extendable member 107 that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the base 102, to create a resistive force upon movement toward the retracted position and a nominal force upon movement toward the retracted position. Applicant intends that the base denote any sort of base capable of supporting the coupling 106. The base can be a weighted platform or a plate bolted to the wall or the floor, and can take many other forms.

[0017]FIG. 1 also shows a body-engaging device, hereafter referred to as a harness 108 for placing about the shoulders of a user 110. The harness 108 is connected to the coupling 106 by a cable 112. In operation, the user's hands are positioned on handles 104 so that the individual can perform push-ups. It is understood that these handles can be movable and that the exerciser machine is not limited to the performance of push-ups, but could be used for performing bicep curls, shoulder exercises and other type of exercises, including those aided by putting feet or other body parts on the base. It is also understood that the base could be attached to another structure, such as a wall, to facilitate the exercise without having to use a body part to hold the base.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coupling 106. The coupling 106 has a body 114 with a base 116 and top 118. The body 114 has an inner body 120, which could be a drum, that has two parts 120A and 120B that include a conventional centrifugal clutch mechanism such that parts 120A and 120B can move together in one direction and independent in the other direction and are concentrically pivoted on a spindle 122. The clutch mechanism is similar to that found in a pull start motor of a lawnmower or other equally effective clutch mechanisms. The coupling base 116 and coupling top 118 hold and align the inner body 120 and spindle 122. An adjustable brake 124 for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable 112, surrounds a projection 125 of inner body 120A, which is mounted on the spindle 122. Rotational movement of the inner body 120A is retarded by pressure applied by the adjustable brake 124 onto the projection 125. It is understood that the adjustable brake could take other embodiments for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable 112. A tensioner 126 can vary retardation. The cable 112 is attached to the inner body 120B and passes through a notch 128 in the inner body 120B to be wrapped around the inner body 120B. The cable 112 is guided through an opening 130 and is attached to a connector 132. The coupling 106 is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position to create a resistive tension in the cable 112 upon movement toward the extendable position, and a lesser retractive (nominal) tension upon movement towards the retracted position.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a front view of the exercise machine 100. Handles 104 are fastened to supports 134 such that the handles 104 are raised off the base 102. These handles 104 can assume different orientations by repositioning the supports 134 and using pre-drilled holes 136 in the base 102 (see FIG. 4). It is understood that other methods of attaching the handles could be used such as slots and pins. The handles themselves can be sectional and jointed as needed.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a top view of the base 102, showing the pre-drilled holes 136 where the supports 134 may be fastened. The base 102 can have openings 138 that allow the exercise machine 100 to be lightweight.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the coupling 106. The base 116 has been removed for clarity. The body 114 has various fasteners 140 for attaching the base 116. The adjustable brake 124 is situated coaxially on the spindle 122 and is orientationally held by a stud 142 that projects into a recess 144 in the base 116 (see FIG. 2). A bushing 146 is coaxially fastened to the spindle 122 within the adjustable brake 124. Uniform pressure is applied to the bushing 146 by the adjustable brake 124. The action of the adjustable brake 124 pressing against the bushing 146 creates frictional drag and thus a resistive force retarding the rotation of the spindle 122. This resistive force is varied by an adjustment of the tensioner 126. The tensioner 126 has a knob 148, threaded spindle 150, and tensioner spring 152. The threaded spindle 150 screws into one jaw of the adjustable brake 124. Rotation of the tensioner 126 screws the threaded spindle 150 further into the adjustable brake 124. In so doing, the tensioner spring 152 is compressed against the adjustable brake 124 applying pressure between the jaws of the adjustable brake 124.

[0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coupling 106 with the top 118 removed. The top 118 is attached to the body 114 by use of fasteners 140. A coil spring 154 is disposed concentrically around the spindle 122 and is secured to inner body part 120B. Tension in the coil spring 154 increases as the cable 112 is extended and the inner body 120B and spindle 122 are rotated. The tension in the coil spring 154 rewinds the cable 112 as the coupling is returned to its retracted position.

[0023] Referring to the invention as described above, wherein FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user 110 executing push-ups with the exercise machine 102. The user 110 is fitted with the harness 108 that is attached to the exercise machine by the connector 132. The harness 108 consists of stops 156 and padding 158. It is understood that the harness could take other forms. The user 110 has his hands firmly placed on the handles 104 allowing him to push his body vertically away from the exercise machine 102. In so doing, the cable 112 is extended from the coupling 106 and the inner body parts 120A and 120B lock and rotate together on the spindle 122 and increases tension in the coil spring 154. FIG. 1 shows the user 110 with the exercise machine 102 in its extended position. When the user 110 starts to lower himself, the inner body parts 120A and 120B unlock leaving only the tension in the coil spring 154 to retract the cable 112 into the coupling 106. The difficulty of performing the push-up exercise by the user 110 is adjusted by the tensioner 126. Adjustment of the tensioner 126 varies the pressure of the adjustable brake 124 on the bushing 146 varying the frictional resistance of the bushing 146 in the adjustable brake 124. In so doing, the effort needed to extend the cable 112 is increased. The resistance to extension of the extendable coupling 106 is unidirectional and constant, depending upon the adjustment of the tension 126 and the induced frictional drag on the bushing 146.

[0024] While the invention has been described in connection with a presently preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and changes can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to be defined solely by the appended claims. 

1. A unidirectional exercise machine for increasing the effort required for a user to perform push-ups comprising: (a) a cable drum; (b) a cable wound on the drum; (c) a user wearable harness attached to an end of the cable; (d) an adjustable brake, engaging the drum for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable; and (e) a clutch, operatively coupled to the brake for releasing the brake and allowing the cable to freely rewind on the drum during the down portion of a push-up.
 2. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a tensioner that varies the pressure on the adjustable brake.
 3. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.
 4. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1 wherein the adjustable brake applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the push-up.
 5. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a gripping means for engaging the user.
 6. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the gripping means is adjustable.
 7. A unidirectional exercise machine for increasing the effort required for a user to perform exercises comprising: (a) a cable drum; (b) a cable wound on the drum; (c) a user wearable harness attached to an end of the cable; (d) an adjustable brake, engaging the drum for inhibiting the unwinding of the cable; and (e) a clutch, operatively coupled to the brake for releasing the brake and allowing the cable to freely rewind on the drum during the retracting portion of an exercise.
 8. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising a tensioner that varies the pressure on the adjustable brake.
 9. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 8, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.
 10. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, wherein the adjustable brake applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the exercise.
 11. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, further comprising a gripping means for engaging the user.
 12. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the gripping means is adjustable.
 13. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 7, wherein a base supports the cable drum.
 14. A unidirectional exercise machine for a user comprising: (a) abase; (b) a resistive force coupling fixed to the base, the coupling having an extendable member attached to the user; and (c) the extendable member being moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, relative to the base, to create a resistive force upon movement toward the extended position and a nominal force upon movement toward the retracted position.
 15. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14, the resistive force coupling further comprising: (a) a spindle; (b) an adjustable brake co-axially aligned around the spindle for transmitting resistance to the spindle; and (c) a tensioner that varies the pressure applied to the spindle through the adjustable brake.
 16. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 15, wherein the tensioner further comprises a spring.
 17. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 16 further comprising a cable between the resistive force coupling and the user.
 18. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14 wherein tensioner applies a uniform resistive force for the extending portion of the exercise.
 19. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 14, further comprising a gripping means on the base to engage the user.
 20. The unidirectional exercise machine of claim 19, wherein the gripping means is adjustable. 